Chapter 16

Tirone lived in a huge house in the picturesque Coppedè District. It had a high iron fence to protect the three-storied mansion made of golden stone and glass that rose up like an island in a sea of green gardens.

Set let out a low whistle from his place in the back seat. Nice place.

Tirone likes everyone to know how rich he is, Rafael said disapprovingly. He lowered the car window and smiled at the security guard. Hey, Antonio. Hows the wife?

Venus herself could not be more beautiful. Thank you, Mr. Asellio. Mr. Taddeo didnt tell me you had a meeting?

Rafael smiled. Its a surprise. Ive just closed a big deal for us, and I wanted to break the good news to him in person.

A good day then. Nice to see you, sir, Antonio said and pressed the button to open the electric gates.

Bellona smiled as she drove through them. That was easier than expected.

It pays to know peoples names and what they are most proud of. Antonio has an absolute stunner of a wife, and it makes him melt every time someone asks about her, Rafael replied. He toyed with the end of Bellonas long braid. You see? You dont need to come in, guns blazing, every time.

We havent stirred any trouble yet. We might have to grab our guns and blaze away, Set replied with a vicious grin on his face that matched Bellonas.

I promised we would try it your way, but if that doesnt work...

Youll hang him up by the balls. I havent forgotten, Rafael replied, his fingers still tangled in the end of her braid. Bellona pretended not to notice him touching her and didnt push him away either.

They pulled up in front of the house and Bellona was surprised there were no other security walking about the gardens.

Is it only Antonio protecting him? she asked.

Tirone has no reason to have more about. Hes already in bed with Rita, like the fucking coward he is, Rafael muttered and got out of the car.

Set chuckled. I can see why you like him.

Hes too good for me, Bellona said, getting a good look at Rafaels back in his tight green shirt.

Hes perfect for you, is what he is. I dont think Ive seen you blush so much in the history of ever. Set patted her shoulder. Come on, we got a man to hang up by his balls.

Bellona got out of the car and scanned the gardens, the nearby buildings, and the people walking past the gates.

What is it? Whats wrong? Rafael asked.

Nothing. Just checking, Bellona replied and gestured at the dark red door with a lion-head knocker. After you.

Rafael knocked on the door, and they waited. Bellona glanced at Set, who was also looking about, checking for movement. It was good to have him there. They were the two most qualified beings on the planet that would be able to protect Rafael. Bellona felt compromised by feelings, but she trusted Set to watch both of their backs if she slipped up.

Rafael knocked again, and the door finally opened. Tirone was still in a bathrobe. He looked like he hadnt slept, and a glass of amber liquid was in his hand.

Oh, its you, Tirone slurred, trying to focus on them with bloodshot eyes.

What the hell? Its not even midday, Rafael said. You want to invite me in, Tirone? We have matters to discuss.

Who are your friends? Finally grew some balls and have come to kill me, huh?

No. If anything, Ive come to help you. Now, let us in. These are my bodyguards, Bellona and Set. Rafael stood up to the older man, who wisely backed up and let them in.

Might as well. I dont think the situation can get worse. Drink? Tirone offered, splashing his own on the polished marble floor.

Rafael steered the swaying man toward the kitchen. Espresso. For all of us, including you.

Make mine a cappuccino, Set piped up, and Bellona stifled a giggle.

The inside was as beautiful as the outside. Bellona knew that money didnt buy taste, but Tirones house was full of paintings and sculptures that were gorgeous.

If we have to kill him, I get the first pick of his collection, Bellona whispered to Set.

He pointed to a set of black and white ocean photos. Okay, but I want those for Ayla. She likes the sea.

Rafael cast an incredulous look over his shoulder at them, and they both smiled back innocently. The kitchen was white and pine, with lots of silver appliances that barely looked used. Bellona went to the coffee machine and started grinding beans, delighting in the wince of pain that flashed over Tirones face at the intrusive noise.

So what are you doing here? Come to shout at me? he said, slumping into a chair in the sunshine.

No. I know that youre bankrupt, Tirone. Thats how Rita convinced you to try and take me down, isnt it? Rafael asked and leaned casually against the counter.

What lies! Im not bankrupt! How dare you accuse me of that, Tirone spluttered.

Bellona said, Do you have any string in this kitchen? I feel like Im going to need some soon.

Rafaels lips twitched. Behave yourself.

She is, trust me, Set said and opened the fridge to get a snack.

Do you two mind? Thats my stuff youre going through! Tirone snarled.

Dont worry about them. Worry about how much easier its going to be if you stop lying to me. I can help you get out of financial trouble, Tirone. You should have come to me to begin with. Rafael sat down opposite him. Explain it to me so I can understand.

Tirone sniffled and drained his drink. I was duped. The shipping company, the investment—everything looked clean. There was nothing suspicious about it.

Except I bet it looked too good to be true, Bellona said and placed an espresso in front of Tirone and one in front of Rafael.

It was. That bitch Rita. I knew the Costas were bastards, but she manipulated the whole thing from start to finish. I over-invested, and it failed, and Im fucked. He took the espresso and sipped it. You can stop all of this, Rafael. She doesnt want you dead. All this nonsense with the bounty on your head is just to push you to marry her. I mean, would it be so bad? Shes not ugly, and shes got to be worth a billion at least. You could make all of this unpleasantness go away for all of us.

The metal milk jug in Bellonas hand bent as fury pushed its way through her. She slammed it down on the counter. Rafael is not a piece of ass for you to pass about because you fucked up, old man. Grow a fucking spine, she snapped.

Rafael raised a brow at her outburst, but his eyes burned with all sorts of sexy promises. I wont be marrying Rita, Tirone. But if you pull your support from her, I will help you with the debts that you owe, he said, looking back at the mess of a man opposite him.

Bells, Set said, drawing her attention. Bellona went to him, and he passed her a phone that had been left on the kitchen counter. A message had lit up the screen.

Thank you for your message, but I no longer need you.

Bellona tackled Rafael to the tiles as the glass window broke, and Tirones head exploded all over the kitchen. She dragged Rafael behind the solid marble counter, and Set ducked down beside them.

Two on the roof opposite, and my bet is there are a few more on the perimeter, Set said, his eyes burning gold. Thoughts?

Bellonas fury was turning her ichor to lava. She gently touched Rafaels face. Are you hurt anywhere?

No, he assured her, but he was pale and had bits of Tirone in his hair.

Bellona turned to her best friend. Ill draw their attention. Get Rafael back to the apartment.

But— Rafael began.

No buts, kid. Youre coming with me, Set grumbled. He pulled a dagger with a long, curved blade from his boot and gave it to Bellona. She summoned her shield and gave it to Set. Ill protect him. I promise. Happy hunting, Bells.

Bellona took one last look at Rafael before unleashing the strength in her veins. She blasted through the house and up to the third floor. Five men were on the flat roof of the house opposite her, looking at another team creep through the gardens toward the house. Bellona went to the end of the hall and ran as fast as she could toward the window. She smashed through it, hurtling over the gap between the buildings and landing beside the men.

Wonder Woman? one asked in a daze.

Guess again, Bellona snarled and lopped his head off with Sets long knife. The other two men tried to draw their guns, the sniper rolling with the rifle. Bellona disarmed the first man, slicing open his belly before smashing his face in with the butt of the handgun. She dodged three bullets fired at her before cutting off her attackers hand that held the gun. He screamed as Bellona caught it and threw it at the sniper aiming at her. She shot the one-armed man in the face before grabbing the sniper by the throat and holding him out over the edge of the building.

Rita Costa hired you? she asked.

The sniper clawed at her hands. D-Dont know. We got an alert saying two bounties had been spotted. Rafael Asellio and Tirone Taddeo. Rafaels fee d-doubled this morning.

Thanks, Bellona said and dropped him. She wiped Sets knife on the pants of a dead man and pocketed one of their phones. The sound of her Audi roared down the streets, letting her know Set was behind the wheel. Relief that Rafael was safe filled her. She smiled viciously as she leaped off the side of the building and continued her hunt.